Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Rochester, NY (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Rochester

New York
61

St. Paul is 49% more expensive than Rochester.

$1,248/mo ↑ 20%
Median Rent
$1,039/mo ↓ 17%
$73,055/yr ↑ 57%
Median Income
$46,628/yr ↓ 36%
$280,300 ↑ 132%
Home Value
$120,600 ↓ 57%
$1,390/mo ↑ 38%
Owner Costs
$1,009/mo ↓ 27%
307,762
Population
209,720

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
10.9%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.11%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Rochester, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $209/month cheaper in Rochester, saving renters about $2,508/year.

Median household income is $26,427/year higher in St. Paul. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $120,600 in Rochester.

Minnesota has a lower income tax rate, making St. Paul slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Rochester — common questions

Is St. Paul or Rochester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rochester is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Rochester?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Rochester it's $1,039/month — a difference of $209/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Rochester?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $46,628 in Rochester. Median household income is $26,427/year higher in St. Paul.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and New York?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Rochester has a cost index of 61 with rent of $1,039/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Rochester details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Paul and Rochester

St. Paul vs. Irvine St. Paul vs. Newark St. Paul vs. Cincinnati St. Paul vs. Pittsburgh St. Paul vs. Santa Ana St. Paul vs. Greensboro Rochester vs. Frisco Rochester vs. Fayetteville Rochester vs. Moreno Valley Rochester vs. Yonkers Rochester vs. Fontana Rochester vs. Cape Coral